Novel G protein-coupled receptor, GAVE7

Abstract

Novel GAVE7 polypeptides, proteins and nucleic acid molecules are provided. In addition to isolated, full-length GAVE7 proteins, isolated GAVE7 fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-GAVE7 antibodies are taught. GAVE7, recombinant expression vectors, host cells into that the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in that a GAVE7 gene has been introduced or disrupted are taught. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention also are provided.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An isolated nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence of GAVE7 (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a variant of GAVE7.  
     
     
         2 . An isolated nucleic acid comprising a sequence that encodes a GAVE7 polypeptide with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.  
     
     
         3 . The nucleic acid according to  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid is selected from the group consisting of RNA, genomic DNA, synthetic DNA and cDNA.  
     
     
         4 . An isolated nucleic acid comprising an allelic variant of the nucleotide sequence of GAVE7 (SEQ ID NO: 1).  
     
     
         5 . The isolated nucleic acid according to  claim 1 , wherein said variant encodes an addition, deletion or substitution mutation.  
     
     
         6 . The nucleic acid according to  claim 5 , encoding a substitution mutation in that said mutation provides at least one functionally-equivalent amino acid residue within the sequence.  
     
     
         7 . An isolated nucleic acid comprising a sequence that hybridizes under stringent conditions to a hybridization probe that is complementary to SEQ ID NO: 1 or complementary to a nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO: 2 and wherein said probe comprises a fragment of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO: 2.  
     
     
         8 . An isolated nucleic acid comprising a sequence that encodes a polypeptide, the amino acid sequence of that is at least 30% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1.  
     
     
         9 . A purified polypeptide, the amino acid sequence of that comprises SEQ ID NO: 2.  
     
     
         10 . A purified polypeptide comprising the third intracellular loop as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2.  
     
     
         11 . An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 1  operably linked to an expression control element.  
     
     
         12 . The expression vector of  claim 11 , wherein said expression control element is selected from the group consisting of constitutive, cell-specific and inducible regulatory sequences.  
     
     
         13 . A cultured cell comprising the vector of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         14 . A cultured cell comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 1  operably linked to an expression control element.  
     
     
         15 . A cultured cell transfected or transformed with the vector of  claim 11  or a progeny of said cell, wherein said cell expresses the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid comprising said vector.  
     
     
         16 . The cultured cell of  claim 13 , wherein said cell is selected from the group consisting of eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells.  
     
     
         17 . A method of producing a protein comprising culturing the cell of  claim 13  under conditions permitting expression of the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid comprising said vector.  
     
     
         18 . An antibody that binds specifically to GAVE7.  
     
     
         19 . The antibody of  claim 18 , that is a monoclonal antibody or a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         20 . A therapeutic method for modulating GAVE7 signaling activity or signal transduction in a patient in need of treatment comprising administering to said patient an agonist, an antagonist or an inverse agonist of GAVE7.  
     
     
         21 . A method for identifying an agonist of GAVE7 comprising: contacting a potential agonist with a cell expressing GAVE7 and determining whether in the presence of said potential agonist the signaling activity of GAVE7 is increased relative to the activity of GAVE7 in the absence of said potential agonist.  
     
     
         22 . A method for identifying an inverse agonist of GAVE7 comprising: contacting a potential inverse agonist with a cell expressing GAVE7 and determining whether in the presence of said potential inverse agonist, the activity of GAVE7 is decreased relative to the activity of GAVE7 in the absence of said potential inverse agonist, and is decreased in the presence of an endogenous ligand or agonist.  
     
     
         23 . A method for identifying an antagonist of GAVE7 comprising: contacting a potential antagonist with a cell expressing GAVE7 and determining whether in the presence of said potential antagonist the signaling activity of GAVE7 is decreased relative to the activity of GAVE7 in the presence of an endogenous ligand or agonist.  
     
     
         24 . A therapeutic composition comprising an agonist an antagonist or an inverse agonist of GAVE7 capable of modulating GAVE7 signaling activity or transduction.  
     
     
         25 . A method for treating a disease comprising administering to a patient in need of treatment a therapeutic composition comprising an agonist, an antagonist or an inverse agonist of GAVE7 capable of modulating GAVE7 signaling activity or transduction.